Alison Hammond was missing from her usual Friday This Morning slot.
10:09, 24 Oct 2025
Alison Hammond usually presents This Morning on Fridays with Dermot O’Leary (Image: ITV)
Alison Hammond has addressed her absence from This Morning after being temporarily replaced by Josie Gibson.
The Great British Bake Off presenter usually hosts the ITV daytime programme on Fridays with Dermot O’Leary, as regular presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard take a break.
However, as This Morning today was teased during Ranvir Singh’s presenting of Lorraine, it was clear Alison wasn’t in the studio while Dermot and Josie told viewers what to expect from the show.
Instead, the Big Brother icon took to Instagram to explain her absence.
She said: “Hello my lovelies, how are you doing? Just letting you know that I’m not going to be on This Morning today because today I’m at the Hackney Empire.
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“We are doing the final of my new show which is called Your Song, if you fancy coming tonight, it’s a fantastic show where amateur singers sing the song that means the world to them.”
She added: “Isn’t it a beautiful day, so sunny, it’s lovely! Come along and enjoy, lots of love. Sorry I’m not on This Morning but you’ve got the wonderful Josie taking my place.”
Opening This Morning, Dermot began: “Welcome to your Friday’s This Morning and look who has joined us,” gesturing to his new co-host.
Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond on This Morning (Image: ITV)
“Fresh from her world wide tour, it’s the Queen of the West Country Josie Gibson.
“We haven’t seen you for the longest time in this parish, it’s so nice to see you, where have you been?”
Josie replied: “Well I’m back now, it’s so nice to be reunited with you.”
She teased her new show that she’s been busy filming, A Taste of the Southwest, adding to Dermot, “I’ve missed you.”
Josie Gibson joined Dermot O’Leary on This Morning today (Image: ITV)
“I’ve missed my This Morning family but I’m here and going to make the most of it.”
This comes after Josie explained her absence while attending the Pride of Britain Awards, saying she’s been busy filming a renovation show that’s been “stressful”.
She continued to The Daily Mail: “I haven’t really stepped away [from This Morning] I have been doing a lot of other projects.
“I’ve been filming a renovation show and I’m so blessed and lucky and I’m not going to lie it’s been stressful.
Josie previously hinted she was “stepping back” from TV work (Image: ITV)
“I’ve hit a lot of hurdles but it’s how you get back up, I’m not a good jumper at times but I get back up and keep trying.”
Earlier this year, Josie said she was stepping back from some TV work to spend time with her young son, telling The Mirror: “A lot of my work comes through the summer holidays because I’m covering for people. So this year I made a conscious decision to step back and I spent a lot more time with Reggie over the summer than I’d normally get to do.”
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
